Does Character Matter?

Does it matter for me to have good character?

God’s Response

His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. 1 Samuel 9:2

The men of Israel saw what a tight spot they were in; and because they were hard pressed by the enemy, they tried to hide in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns. . . . Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away. So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself. 1 Samuel 13:6-9

Saul may have been good-looking, but he had some severe character flaws, one of which was that he continuously disobeyed God. He made unwise, impulsive decisions and directly disobeyed one of God’s commands in order to do what he thought was best. His lack of conviction or trust in God would eventually lead to jealousy, murder, instability, paranoia, and his downfall. Character matters. What’s deep inside you is far more important than how you look on the outside. What’s inside will determine your legacy and your reputation.

This Is Promising

Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission [to God] is better than offering the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22